Three students from Mindanao State University - General Santos (MSU-GenSan) were among the ten Philippine delegates at the “OR Seeding the Future ASEAN Camp 2024” held in Bangkok, and Chon Buri, Thailand from November 23 to 29, 2024.
Christine Grace Dela Poz, Jay Vee Salazar, and Leslie Anne Payongayong, who are taking BS Civil Engineering, BS Agricultural Business Management, and BS Biology, respectively are among the 10 chosen delegates from the Philippines.
The said ASEAN camp, which is now in its 8th year, brought together 50 delegates from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
Among the Philippine delegates, Salazar seized the award for Best Application Video which he shared is one of the most memorable parts of the camp for him.
“[It] is one of the highlights during the opening ceremony, kasi out of 500 plus applicants, they chose my application video as one of the best and unique videos,” Salazar said.
Furthermore, Payongayong, together with her groupmates from the other four countries, bagged second runner-up in the Business Pitch competition.
The camp is an initiative by PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) to “serve as a platform for identifying potential talent for employment within OR's subsidiaries in the region, contributing to the development of a human resources network among AEC member countries.”
Application challenges, motivation
Salazar initially felt hesitant to apply due to time constraints and the lack of a passport but was encouraged by a friend to rush making an application video—the requirement for the camp—two days before the deadline.
“I almost gave up actually and thinking to give my spot to the most deserving delegate but thankfully, PTT OR heard my request for an extension and Ajarn MOOK, our mentor and camp coordinator, personally reached out to help with my passport issues,” Salazar shared.
Meanwhile, Payongayong relaid that her motivation to apply in the camp stemmed from her willingness to broaden her horizons.
“Not just in having international networks, but also on promoting my advocacies on the conservation of biodiversity,” Payongayong remarked.
She learned about the opportunity when OR reached out to MSU-Gensan for a Roadshow event to be attended by the university’s college councils and acknowledged the rigorous selection process because of the volume of applicants.
“There were almost 500 applicants across the South East Asian countries. And to be accepted as one of the 10 Philippine delegates is truly a wondrous achievement not just for me, but also for the university,” she stated.
Experiences
Salazar and Payongayong highlighted the Cultural Night as the most memorable part of the camp.
“Aside from the informational lecture sessions, it was the Cultural Night that stood out the most for me. It was when all the ASEAN cultures come together and present their own dances, foods, and stories,” Payongayong recalled.
For Salazar, it was the opportunity to introduce Budots, a popular Filipino dance, to the other delegates that made the experience particularly unforgettable.
“It was exciting to see them embrace it. Beyond the dance, we also shared aspects of our rich culture—our traditional foods, vibrant dances, and the warmth of Filipino hospitality,” Salazar cited.
The MSUan delegates encourage other university students to apply to the future iterations of the camp, noting that it is an all-expense-paid experience where they will gain inputs about ASEAN culture, businesses, and sustainability.
“My advice to the future applicants, make an impressive and [one-of-a-kind] video application about yourself, your passion towards sustainability, and your intention why would you like to represent your country on the international stage,” Salazar advised.
Salazar also emphasized the importance of applying for a passport promptly to ensure preparedness for any opportunity that may arise.
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